---
entity_slug: public_mourning_effects
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:13:38.731333'
overall_score: 4.0
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: "The definition is quite precise, clearly specifying the mechanism (temporary\
    \ demand increase \u2192 price above natural price \u2192 higher profits) and\
    \ the specific context (black cloth/mourning goods during national bereavement).\
    \ It captures a distinct market phenomenon rather than a vague concept."
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter 10, where
    he explicitly uses public mourning as an example of how extraordinary demand temporarily
    raises prices above natural levels. The entity accurately reflects Smith's actual
    argument about demand variations and profit inequalities.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain placement is correct, as this phenomenon directly
    concerns market price formation, demand-supply dynamics, and the temporary deviation
    of market prices from natural prices. This is fundamentally about exchange mechanisms
    rather than production or distribution.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity describes a market response to external events but doesn't
    naturally map to specific VSM systems - it's more of a market phenomenon than
    an organizational function. While it might loosely relate to S4 (environmental
    response), the connection is forced rather than natural.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity illuminates an important economic mechanism about how external
    social events create temporary market distortions and profit opportunities. It
    demonstrates Smith's broader theoretical point about the relationship between
    demand variations and profit inequalities across different employments.
---

# Evaluation: Public Mourning Effects

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is quite precise, clearly specifying the mechanism (temporary demand increase → price above natural price → higher profits) and the specific context (black cloth/mourning goods during national bereavement). It captures a distinct market phenomenon rather than a vague concept.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter 10, where he explicitly uses public mourning as an example of how extraordinary demand temporarily raises prices above natural levels. The entity accurately reflects Smith's actual argument about demand variations and profit inequalities.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain placement is correct, as this phenomenon directly concerns market price formation, demand-supply dynamics, and the temporary deviation of market prices from natural prices. This is fundamentally about exchange mechanisms rather than production or distribution.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity describes a market response to external events but doesn't naturally map to specific VSM systems - it's more of a market phenomenon than an organizational function. While it might loosely relate to S4 (environmental response), the connection is forced rather than natural.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity illuminates an important economic mechanism about how external social events create temporary market distortions and profit opportunities. It demonstrates Smith's broader theoretical point about the relationship between demand variations and profit inequalities across different employments.